($410+) Newark, NJ to Columbus, OH Movers
Moving from Newark, NJ, to Columbus, OH, runs anywhere from $410 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,974 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 523 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,074, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,974 or more.
- Moving containers run $958 - $2,958, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $410 - $1,131.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Newark, NJ, to Columbus, OH. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,964 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Newark, NJ to Columbus, OH
Moving options from Newark to Columbus fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $1,964 - $5,067 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 37% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 77% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 523 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 6 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 523-mile route from Newark to Columbus, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,074 - $3,686, container $958 - $1,734, rental truck $410 - $769, freight trailer $828 - $1,545.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $1,964 - $5,067, container $1,240 - $2,348, rental truck $446 - $893, freight trailer $991 - $1,878.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,537 - $6,974, container $1,617 - $2,958, rental truck $551 - $1,131, freight trailer $1,346 - $2,293.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Newark, NJ to Columbus, OH
For the 523-mile move from Newark, New Jersey, to Columbus, Ohio, full-service movers cost between $1,074 and $6,974. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $352 - $2,348 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Newark generally start around $260 plus $120 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Newark to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,074 - $3,686
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,964 - $5,067
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,537 - $6,974
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Newark to Columbus.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Newark, NJ to Columbus, OH
Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of Newark movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Columbus, 70% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing72% of local movers | $587 - $5,870 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready62% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: White Glove Moving & Storage | $235 - $1,409/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $352 - $2,818 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs47% of local movers | $1,174 - $3,522 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,935 - $11,740 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $879 - $1,671 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: White Glove Moving & Storage | $1,174 - $2,935 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: White Glove Moving & Storage | $939 - $4,109 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $352 - $1,761 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect3% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (NJ) | $763 - $2,348 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $352 - $17,610+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $352 - $4,109+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Newark to Columbus?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Ohio Association of Movers is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Newark, NJ. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Newark, NJ to Columbus, OH
Moving containers from Newark, New Jersey, to Columbus, Ohio, cost between $958 and $2,958. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Columbus. If you go over that window, storage in Newark adds around $130/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Newark to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $958 - $1,734
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,240 - $2,348
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,617 - $2,958
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Newark, NJ, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $822, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $88 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $176 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Newark, NJ, and Columbus, OH, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a New Jersey to Ohio move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $958. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,240 - $2,348.
What are the best moving containers Newark to Columbus?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Newark to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Newark:
- Piece of Cake Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Moishe's Moving Systems (4.5/5), 33 years in business
- Big G Movers Inc (4.9/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Newark, NJ to Columbus, OH
Renting a moving truck for the 523-mile move from Newark, New Jersey, to Columbus, Ohio, costs between $410 and $1,131, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $195 - $223
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Newark daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $0.99
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Newark to Columbus based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $410 - $769
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $446 - $893
- 4+ bedrooms: $551 - $1,131
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $410 - $1,131 when pricing out a rental truck from Newark to Columbus. Fuel alone runs $195 - $223, and overnight lodging ($176/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $195 - $223 for the 523-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Newark, New Jersey, for about 5 hours typically costs around $822.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 523-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $176 per night, adding $352 - $528 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $59 and $352.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Newark to Columbus?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Newark, NJ to Columbus, OH
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Newark, New Jersey, to Columbus, Ohio. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $991 and $1,878.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Newark to Columbus:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $828 - $1,545
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $991 - $1,878
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,346 - $2,293
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $88 and $176.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Newark, New Jersey, for roughly five hours typically average $822.
What are the best freight companies from Newark to Columbus?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Columbus quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Newark, NJ vs Columbus, OH
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Columbus, side by side with Newark on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Newark, NJ | Columbus, OH |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 135 | 91 |
| Average rent | $2,300/mo | $1,441/mo |
| Median home value | $335,418 | $233,368 |
| Average income | $48,416/yr | $65,327/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 13.0% | 5.7% |
| State income tax | Up to 10.7% | Up to 3.5% |
| Walkability score | 76/100 | 41/100 |
| Safety index | 24.76/100 | 50.35/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Columbus, OH to Newark, NJ guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from New Jersey to Ohio over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 312 movers in our New Jersey network to compare for this 523-mile move.
Our take
The 523-mile move from Newark, NJ, to Columbus, OH, costs between $1,074 and $6,974 with full-service movers, $958 - $2,958 with a moving container, and $410 - $1,131 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $1,964 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Columbus tend to point to low cost of living and delicious food, though bad drivers and terrible traffic come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Ohio State University and The State of Ohio.
FAQs: Moving from Newark, NJ, to Columbus, OH
How walkable is Columbus?
Columbus has a walkability score of 41 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 48, compared to 76 and 51 in Newark. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Columbus a safe place to live?
Columbus has a safety index of 50.35 out of 100 and a crime index of 49.65, compared to 24.76 and 75.24 in Newark. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Newark, NJ to Columbus, OH?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What is the best time of year to move from Newark, NJ to Columbus, OH?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How long does a move from Newark, NJ to Columbus, OH take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 6 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What percentage of Newark movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Newark handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.